Spring 2014 Message from the Director:
Library Moves Forward with Exciting Building Projects

In February 2013, the Library Board approved
the largest branch facilities plan in more
than 25 years. The plan included renovating
the 100-year-old Avondale Branch to be
fully accessible, renovating the donated Cox
House as the new Clifton Branch Library and
constructing new, larger branch libraries
in Reading and St. Bernard, replacing
small, outdated facilities and honoring
commitments made to these communities
more than 10 years ago. The plan will cost
$11.7 million to complete and will utilize prior-
year savings and planned capital expenses
for 2013-2015. The Library currently has no
debt and will incur none as a result of these
projects.

Design of these projects quickly got
underway with architects K4 taking on the
difficult task of squeezing an addition and
elevator onto the small backyard of the
Avondale Branch. More than accessibility,
the Avondale
Branch is getting
a substantial
renovation with
new restrooms
and the main floor
program space
again available for
public use. New
carpet, lighting
and fresh paint
along with a new
HVAC system
will transform the
interior of the existing branch as well. Final
touches include new furniture, additional
computers and an expansion of the service
desk to also be accessible. The $1 million
project is scheduled for completion in late
April.

Champlin Architecture designed both
St. Bernard and Reading. The new
8,000-square-foot St. Bernard Branch will
be built on property donated by St. Bernard.
It replaces the 2,000-square-foot facility
housed in the St. Bernard Municipal Center
and generously contributed to the Library
since 1970. The new Reading Branch will be 12,000 square feet and replaces the
2,000-square-foot storefront that has
housed the branch since 2000.

McClorey & Savage Architects designed
the renovation of the George “Boss” Cox
House as the new Clifton Branch. The
10,000-square-foot home on the National
Register of Historic Sites will replace the
2,500-square-foot storefront occupied by
the Clifton Branch for more than 50 years.
Alternatively called Parkview Manor because
of its location across from Burnet Woods,
this gorgeous home was built for George Cox
in 1895 by noted Cincinnati architect Samuel
Hannaford. After Cox’s death, it housed the
Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity for more than 60
years. When the fraternity moved to a new
house, fraternity member Michael Dever
acquired the building and later donated it to
the Library for a new Clifton Branch.

All three branches
will have expanded
collections, spaces
just for children,
teens and adults,
places to sit
and enjoy the
Library, computer
labs, meeting/
program rooms
and individual
study rooms. The
three branches
were designed
for energy efficiency, and LEED certification
is being pursued for both Reading and
St. Bernard. Reading will include a drive-
up service window and ample parking;
nonexistent in the current branch. St.
Bernard will also have parking on a nearby lot,
and Clifton will have onsite parking as well.
When you walk in these new branches, don’t
expect to see the large service desk. Staff
at these branches will be providing service
using mobile devices. All three will utilize
self-check, and Clifton will have outdoor
lockers for after-hours hold pick-up. The
three branches were bid in February, and
construction is expected to begin in April. Look for the new branches to be opening in
2015.

It is so exciting to see these projects moving
forward after being on hold for many years.
Opening day for a new library is indeed
a cause for celebration. We hope to see
you at groundbreaking ceremonies and
Avondale’s ribbon cutting. You can follow
the construction progress on our construction project website.